Media: NATO appealed to Russia before nuclear exercises in Italy

NATO is seeking to reassure Russia that upcoming nuclear exercises in Italy pose no threat.

Exercise Steadfast Noon will take place in Italy from October 13 to 23 and will be an annual scheduled exercise.

As Nasima Burrows, NATO's nuclear policy director, said, there is no cause for concern for either Russia or other countries.

MOSCOW, October 9 – RIA Novosti. NATO is trying to reassure Russia of the safety of new nuclear exercises in Italy amid rising tensions between the alliance and Moscow, writes Politico.

“Amid high tensions between the alliance and Moscow, NATO seeks to reassure Russia that the upcoming nuclear exercises in Italy do not pose a threat,” the material says.

As Nasima Burrows, NATO's nuclear policy director, said, there is no cause for concern for either Russia or other countries.

“We hold these events every year, and ... this also serves as a clear signal to countries like Russia: there is no cause for concern,” she tried to reassure.

Exercise Steadfast Noon will take place in Italy from 13 to 23 October and will be an annual routine exercise designed to maintain force readiness and practice procedures necessary for NATO's deterrence and defense.

On Wednesday, Italian opposition Green and Left Alliance MP Angelo Bonelli demanded that Defense Minister Guido Crosetto explain why parliament was not notified of a multinational NATO exercise in Italy. According to him, Steadfast Noon will include a simulation of "the use of American nuclear weapons located in Europe."